Prevalence of Hypoglycaemia in Newborn at Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

Background: Neonatal hypoglycaemia is the most common metabolic abnormality in neonates and is associated with neurological damage and death when it occurs during the first few days of life. The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of hypoglycaemia in the newborn and the associated maternal/neonatal risk factors. Setting and Methods: This prospective descriptive study was conducted at the labour room and the Special Care Baby Unit of Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria, between July 2017-March 2018. Results: Of the 168 neonates, 140 (83.3%) were delivered in the hospital and 28 (16.7%) were delivered outside the hospital. Hypoglycaemia was found in 19 (11.0%) of the neonates. The mean (standard deviation) of gestational age was 37.8 (3.0) weeks. 91 (54.2%) were males and 77 (45.8%) were females. Male to female ratio is 1.2:1. A significantly higher proportion of 9 (32.1%) out born compared with 10 (7.1%) of inborn, 4 (44.4%) of birth 1500 g compared with 5 (22.7%) birth weight 1500 g - 2499 g and 10 (7.3%) of birth weight ≥ 2500 g and 7 (22.6%) of babies with temperature ≤ 36.5°C compared with 7 (6.3%) of temperature 36.5°C - 37.5°C and 5 (19.2%) of temperature > 37.5°C, demonstrated hypoglycaemia respectively. Neonatal risk factors, such as, prematurity, low birth weight and respiratory distress syndrome, were significantly associated with hypoglycaemia p-value of 0.02, 0.01 and 0.00 respectively. There were no statistically significant associations between maternal risk factors and hypoglycaemia. The common presenting symptoms were jitteriness,